Today is RELEASE DAY for Lost Inheritance, another Smoky Mountain novel from author, Lin Stepp! CONGRATULATIONS!! Visit her website

Author Lin Stepp takes readers deep into the heart of Tennessee AGAIN. The travels and views are stunning even more than in past stories.
As a ‘regular reader’ of these Tennessee novels, I enjoy it even more when I begin to recognize locales of other stories.

Lost Inheritances has some new twists as the story rolls along. The central themes rotate around building — high quality construction on costly homes — and art — high quality, original art, prints and gifts for the tourists. Set in Gatlinburg, Tennessee, the story is a little different geographically. Formerly, the small Smoky Mountain communities were not so familiar.

Smoky Mountain LIfe

I like the informative story pieces around the themes of building and art along with Smoky Mountain scenery Added enjoyment can be found in learning about the fields of building and art in a subtle manner, unusual colored threads in the tapestry of a good story, making it a memorable story. Readers come away informed about more than they expected. The blending of local community and big city without judgement is pleasant.

There are some unexpected romances, each couple offering different views of people and life. Some folks win and some lose. From page one, there is a clear inheritance that gets misdirected into the hands of an undeserving character. Is that the lost inheritance or is there another? That is one of the TWISTS that readers get to watch for. I am sure I found this twist early on, but I had to read it out to the reveal to see the twists work out. The result was not one that I had expected!

Lin S gives readers a novel that has fresh story as it moves along. Not boring formula writing that beats me about the head and shoulders with the intent. For this one, there was some leeway in the intent and while I was pretty sure how things would turn out, sometimes I wasn’t quite so sure.

Friend & Fan Disclosure

As a fan and friend in faith, I commend Lin Stepp’s writing revealing her faith foundations. There is no doctrinal pushing, but there is honestly in the way characters express their faith. Along with the faith piece, this author manages to write over 280 pages with no vulgarities or gratuitous erotica. Another favorite has been Daddy’s Girl, reviewed earlier here

My copy of the book was a gift of an autographed copy. While I would gladly give the story TEN stars, I was only invited to enjoy reading, but not obligated to review, either good or bad. One thing I will assure you — you may read my copy, but you must read it at my house, for it means too much to me to risk losing it. I have some others that you can take home!

Joy Ross Davis writes about sweet Anna, who never planned to be the mistress of the fine Devereaux mansion. Henry loved Anna and her fresh, winsome ways immediately. Marriage came quickly for the handsome couple, surprising local society. Henry traveled on railroad business (1880s), leaving the farm and mansion management to Anna.

Henry’s favorite aunt, Violet, comes to visit and help Anna manage the mansion when Henry is away on business. When Anna and Violet get along beautifully, Anna asks Violet to stay with them always.

Davis takes a small cast of characters who could be representative of the sections of a kaleidoscope. With these colorful characters, she builds an ever surprising story moving glowing facets of the kaleidoscope into play.

I don’t want to write a typical ‘book report’ and risk giving all of the facets away. And perhaps denying you, dear reader, the opportunity to give yourself a good, uplifting story to enjoy over and over. Trust me, there is a Devereaux jewel that holds the family together. And trust me that you will enjoy the activities that you will read about which keep that brilliant emerald safe with the family.

About Reading Joy Ross Davis’ Writing

This story isn’t as long as it could be if the author added intimate, boring details. She gives readers a dream to enjoy instead of extending the word count with excessive profanity or smut. As other reviewers have mentioned, the synopsis implies some different aspects from the real story. The synopsis presents a good plot/story, I would have been satisfied with that story. Have to tell you, I’m glad I read the ‘real’ and ‘rest’ of the story because it beats the introduction!

Joy Ross Davis has been a ‘virtual’ friend for several years. I have worked on her website and enjoyed e-mail and chat communication. We’ve never met in person or even spoken on the phone. I enjoy her beautiful writing style. My copy of the book was purchased through Amazon; a review was not required, either positive or negative. To repeat, if you haven’t added Joy Ross Davis to your collection, making certain not to miss any of her stories, you’re denying yourself some excellent reading. I don’t plan to do that!

I’ve worked with author Joy Ross Davis for longer than we care to face! Her writing has become more serious and enjoyable as the time has passed. Joy writes in a style that some have described as angelic, inspirational writing. Her stories are pleasantly paranormal with good eventually getting the best of evil, but not in a syrupy way.

As a journalist, her style is almost too tight…this gets her into trouble sometimes. She has to go back and fill in the color that was always in the story, but hid behind the door while she was keyboarding the facts!

You can learn a lot about a writer by watching the website (here you get a chance to look — joyrossdavis.com.) Following Joy on social media will get you some special entertainment as well as announcements about the books she has written. There is a daily parade of beautiful dresses and angels for Joy’s Facebook friends. I just know where she finds all of those pictures!

You can learn even more here at Joy Ross Davis page. Learning is good, so learn away! Learn about awards that acknowledge Joy’s writing. THREE big ones this year alone for her novels. Learn how you can treat yourself to copies of her books for your Kindle reader or in REAL paper.

Yes, that is a spanking, outspoken AD on the sidebar of Cardinal Bluff. Joy has earned that spot in more ways than one. Congratulations and best wishes for a bright writing future!

Joy Ross Davis brings more angelic storytelling to her readers and the Angel Pack! Set in Ireland, 1938, Emalyn’s Treasure tells us of a young woman with a heightened spiritual experience which contributes to the ‘treasure’ that she has kept close by, yet hidden from all, since she was a 6 year old child. Her encounter with lightning and a protective angel lies at the foundation for the treasure story.

Emalyn has led a privileged life during a tumultuous period in Irish history that we seldom hear about. Civic improvements for water and electricity were becoming accepted and expected, although resisted by some people. Assessment costs and resistance to change sparked civil disorder. I especially enjoy a story where I can learn — a factoid here; a skill there! Our Author’s research is extremely active for this book; the descriptions of politics, available appliances, clothing, decor, architecture, and hospitably take you right into 1938!

Our Emalyn is still a young spirit, becoming more mature and generous by the day. How blessed the man and woman who find their matching ‘swan’ to become a life’s companion as Emalyn and husband Owen have done. Joy Ross Davis brings her gentle story-telling to Emalyn’s Treasure as we would expect, with some twists and turns that keep it from being at all saccharin sweet! Indeed, tragedy marks high points in the story and leads to the finale.

Emalyn’s Treasure has no ghosts. Angels are present to take on earthly appearances, protecting and guiding the characters through their activities. Lives are transformed subtly. Supportive characters Fiona and Percy become more mature. I perceive the potential for follow-up stories, but as a skilled author, Joy Ross Davis brings this story to a sensible end without a cliff hanger ending that seems to just drop off that cliff.

Trust me — Emalyn’s Treasure is going to be a favorite. I recommend the book for a book club discussion because of the socio-political topic potential. Emalyn’s Treasure is a pre-cursor to the story in The Beggar’s Miracle.

Lin Stepp pleasantly takes a few different turns in the new novel Daddy’s Girl.
Sometimes the more things seem to change the more they seem the same!!

Olivia is my “main character” — she loves her home town, her home with the beautifully styled gardens — just like the formal gardens of English castles! I loved the descriptions of the gardens.

As Olivia’s high school graduation class plans a 10 year reunion, they each have to face their level of maturity. Some of that immaturity or maturity is connected and reflected by choices each made after graduation. The ‘hot clique’ cold issues still bubbled under the surface for all of them. Olivia had been a passive person, sometimes walking with both sides, but not defending ‘luzers’ in the face of ‘hot’ insults. When her true love from childhood returns, a ‘luzer/misfit/geek’ in high school who has become a successful young adult author, the chemistry and true friendship rekindles. The relationship doesn’t flame smoothly without struggle as each has to come to the fuller maturity they’ve been dodging for 10 years.

Olivia’s flaws along with those of the others make the story move along. With a Christian base, the book is not doctrinal, but follows life and life learning. We all show up in the faces of the characters, more in some than in others. This is the pleasant pattern that I’ve come to enjoy in Lin Stepp’s books. Inspiring and refreshing.

I received a copy of Daddy’s Girl as a gift from the author. I am not obligated to 1leave a review. The book showed up in my mailbox at the end of a stressful working week. Daddy’s Girl gave me a restful, recovery reading time! I told my husband this is one of the things that make me look forward to Lin Stepp’s books. With eloquent writing, she spins a moving story that make reviving pleasure reading for me. Incidentally, these are not ‘chick books’, the descriptions and dialog are frequently enjoyed by men!

All done with quality description of beautiful country, towns and buildings AND without violence, erotica or vulgarity! That deserves another 5 stars